Fast Facts about Hypoglycemia
- Diabetic adults aged 75 and above have a 3 times more chance of suffering from hypoglycemia than diabetics aged between 45 and 64.
- In the year 2009, there were more than 7 out of every 1,000 diabetic patients that were diagnosed for hypoglycemia.
- Statistics show that both men and women are equally susceptible to developing the condition.
- Around 6% of deaths in diabetic patients aged 40 years or less are caused by hypoglycemia.
- Deaths caused by the dead in bed syndrome account for almost 20 to 60% deaths of diabetic patients.
Hypoglycemia is a medical condition in which the blood sugar (glucose) levels in the body fall to dangerously low levels. The blood sugar is the main source of energy in your body.
Hypoglycemia may be caused by a variety of underling health conditions and the long-term treatment for it is directed to identifying these conditions and treating them. The most common cause of hypoglycemia is diabetes treatment. However, there are other more prominent conditions, some of them rare; that can lead to blood sugar levels falling below the normal threshold.
Symptoms
Each person with diabetes may have different symptoms of hypoglycemia. You’ll learn to spot yours. Some of the early symptoms might go unnoticed at first. This is why you need to keep a look out for more than one of these symptoms occurring in combination. Common symptoms of hypoglycemia include:
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Shakiness
- Headaches
- Hunger pangs
- Irritability
- Pale skin
- Racing pulse
- Trembling
- Anxiety
- Sweating
- Weakness
It is recommended you see a doctor as soon as you experience one or more of the above mentioned symptoms of hypoglycemia. At times when hypoglycemia is left untreated for too long, the symptoms become increasingly severe with time. These symptoms include:
- Extreme lack of concentration
- Poor coordination
- Nightmares
- Numbness in the tongue and the mouth
- Passing out
- Coma
Recommended Supplements
While eating a healthy diet and regular exercise helps to manage Hypoglycemia, it is not enough to keep you fit and healthy. Supplements are essential for managing Hypoglycemia and reducing its symptoms. But it should be kept in mind that supplements should not be used to replace the treatment for Hypoglycemia. It is not always true that natural products are safe for use. Many products can react with your body and produce an adverse reaction. Thus, it is better to be safe and consult your before starting to use any supplements for managing your condition.
The following supplements have proven to benefit people with Hypoglycemia:
Licorice
Licorice is another important natural herb that stabilizes blood sugar levels in the body. What makes it a powerful remedy for hypoglycemia is the fact that this herb elevates blood sugar levels without triggering insulin production in the body. The herb contains a sugar-like substance that ensures the blood sugar is maintained at healthy levels without the creation of insulin.
Bilberry
Not many would know that bilberry is an efficient natural treatment for hypoglycemia. The fruit helps control the symptoms of diabetes in patients and prevents them from worsening further. It also regulates blood sugar in the body at optimal levels and reduces the body’s response time to glucose sourced from high sugar foods.
Dandelion
The root of the dandelion plant has also shown efficacy for hypoglycemia. The herb supports a healthy pancreatic function that regulates the efficient production and distribution of insulin into the bloodstream. This helps the body maintain ideal levels of blood sugar and glucose in the body and prevents them from falling down too low.
Milk Thistle
The milk thistle protects the liver. It promotes cell regeneration in the liver, supports it healthy functioning, and detoxifies it. A healthy liver ensures that the blood sugar levels in the body do not fall below the normal reading, which might be the case when the liver does not function properly.
Ginseng
Since hypoglycemia is characterized by extremely low levels of blood sugar, ginseng proves to be an excellent natural remedy for the condition. Ginseng is known for its ability to regulate blood sugar in the body on healthy levels. It triggers the pituitary gland into action, which generates higher quantities of blood sugar and restores ideal energy levels to the body.
The above natural supplements are known to help in controlling and managing Hypoglycemia, but you should exercise proper caution and ask your doctor before adding any such supplements for in your diet. Herbs have lasting and strong effects on the body and can also interact with other drugs and medications, causing dangerous and adverse reactions. If you use any medication for your disease, talk to your doctor before you decide to start any supplements or herbal products to manage your health condition.